Lack of impact of iodinated contrast media on kidney cell-cycle arrest biomarkers in critically ill patients

Iodinated contrast media may contribute to acute kidney injury. However, several recent works suggest that this toxicity is minimal in the clinical setting. Recently, urinary G1 cell-cycle arrest proteins tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) and insulin like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7) were identified as highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for early detection of kidney aggression. The impact of contrast administration on those biomarkers has not been specifically evaluated but could provide clues about the toxicity of contrast media. This study aimed at measuring changes in TIMP-2 and IGFBP-7 urinary concentrations before and after a contrast-enhanced computed tomography in critically ill patients.

77 patients were included in a prospective observational cohort study. Urinary [TIMP -2]·[IGFBP-7] was measured before, 6 and 24 h after contrast infusion. Urine output and serum creatinine were followed 3 days.

Median [TIMP-2]·[IGFBP-7] was 0.06 [interquartile range 0.04;0.26], 0.07 [0.03;0.34] and 0.10 [0.04;0.37] (ng/mL)²/1000 respectively before, 6 and 24 h after contrast infusion. Individual changes from baseline were − 0.01 [− 0.11;0.11] and 0.00 [− 0.10;0.09] (ng/ml)²/1000 at 6 and 24 h. These changes were not higher among the patients increasing their Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) classification within 3 days after contrast infusion (n = 14 [18%] based on creatinine criterion only, n = 42 [55%] based on creatinine and urine output).

Changes in [TIMP-2]·[IGFBP-7] urinary concentration after contrast-enhanced computed tomography were insignificant, suggesting minimal kidney aggression by modern iodinated contrast media.